Dr. Mary Szatowski Eye Blog

Posts for tag: Cataracts

By Dr. Mary Szatowski
December 17, 2014
Category: Ophthalmology
Tags: Cataracts  

As an eye doctor for the residents of Chicago and the surrounding suburbs, Dr. Mary cares for patients with cataracts, a condition that causes your vision to become cloudy. While she treats cataracts, she greatly emphasizes the importance of preventive care and regular eye exams as a means to stop cataracts from developing.

While aging and family history of cataracts are risk factors for this vision problem that you cannot avoid, there are other risk factors you can. This includes excess sun exposure. Of particularly high risk are young people who are exposed to the sun at an early age. This means that wearing hats and ultraviolet-protective sunglasses are important, even for young people.

What Else Increases the Risk of Cataracts? 
Habits such as excessive drinking and smoking have been known to slightly increase the risk of developing cataracts. And medical conditions such as high blood pressure, obesity and diabetes are also linked to cataracts. Dr. Mary can discuss these and other potential risks with you at your next eye appointment.

Medication may also be a factor to cataracts. Patients with autoimmune disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, multiple sclerosis and systemic lupus erythematosus, often take medications known as corticosteroids. These are anti-inflammatory medications that are necessary to reduce a condition’s symptoms, but are associated with increased risk for cataracts.

Schedule Your Regular Eye Exam 
Regular eye exams at Dr. Mary’s office are vital to early intervention of cataracts. And we also caution patients of early signs, such as:
·      Blurry vision
·      Night glares
·      Sensitivity to light

While cataract development is not considered a medical emergency, it is a serious condition that can lead to blindness if left untreated. If you have been diagnosed with cataracts, Dr. Mary can help determine the best course of treatment and potential intervention for cataracts. Early cataract symptoms are often treated with a new glasses prescription that will improve vision. If the cataracts gets worse over time, treatments can include cataract surgery, which removes the affected lens. Dr. Mary then replaces this damaged lens with an intraocular lens. The procedure does not require a hospital stay. 

If you suspect you may have a cataracts or it has been some time since you have visited an eye doctor in Chicago or surrounding Chicago suburbs, call our office at (312) 332-4296.

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By Dr. Mary Szatowski
June 23, 2014
Category: Ophthalmology

Discovering Your Cataract Treatment Options

Did you know that in 2013 there were about 20.5 million Americans over the age of 40 who were affected by cataracts? And, about half of people over the age of 80 have cataracts. It seems almost hard to believe! However, you wouldn’t believe how many people we’ve seen in our office battling this frustrating condition. The good news is that there are cataract treatments in Chicago that can restore your vision and help you lead a healthier, happier life. And there is no better time than June—Cataract Awareness Month—to remind everyone that cataracts can affect anyone and what you can do to treat it.
 
Your eye doctor in Chicago has seen plenty of cases, which means that you are in good hands.
 

Cataracts: Early Stages

If you’re still in the early stages of cataracts than this is definitely a huge relief. If caught soon enough when it’s still minor, vision can often be improved with nothing more than a pair of glasses.
 
However, while this is definitely an easy treatment option, remember that cataracts often progress with time. This means that at some point in the future, wearing glasses might not be enough. Unfortunately, there are no magic eye drops or quick laser treatments to treat cataracts (trust me, I wish there was!). Despite this, surgery has always been the most effective treatment option for removing cataracts.
 

Cataract Surgery

So, you’ve finally decided it’s time to get surgery. I’m so glad you’ve made this decision for the health of your eyes. While it might seem like something we take for granted, our vision is primarily what connects us to the world around us. So it seems obvious to say that our eyes help us survive. Therefore, when your vision is suddenly impeded, it can be frightening and difficult to get through day-to-day tasks. That’s where cataract surgery comes in. With just a local anesthetic, an ultrasound device is used to soften and remove the cataract from the eye. Then your Chicago eye doctor will replace the cloudy lens with a clear, new implant. And lucky for you, there are no stitches and no shots!
 
Don’t let cataracts in Chicago stop you from seeing the beautiful world around you. There is truly so much to see! Call us today at (312) 332-4296 so we can help restore your vision. Please check out our website to see videos of cataract surgery and lens options to improve your understanding of this topic.
 
Are you a patient who recently dealt with cataracts? Did cataract treatment in Chicago change your life and your vision? If so, we would love to hear more. Share your life-changing stories with us today!
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By Dr. Mary Szatowski
June 23, 2014
Category: Ophthalmology
Ever heard of the phrase—my brain’s a little foggy? This means a person is having trouble remembering something. Don’t you feel frustrated when this happens to you? Well, imagine what it would feel like to have “foggy” vision, not a mind. “Foggy” vision is the main symptom of a condition called cataract. 
 
 
The majority of cataracts cases are age related. However, this eye condition may also develop if the lens tissue is injured or affected by certain diseases, such as diabetes.
 

Do You Have Cataracts?

If you feel like something is wrong with your eyesight, keep a running list of symptoms. Foggy vision isn’t the only sign of cataracts that you can experience. Try keeping an eye for these as well:
  • Double vision (single eye)
  • Difficulty seeing at night or in dim light
  • Seeing rings/”halos” around lights
  • Eye sensitivity to lights

How Do You Treat Cataracts?

Over time, a cataract condition will usually get worse, making it more difficult to see. A change of glass prescription may help at first, but further professional treatment is needed to correct cataracts.
 
What is the next step to treating cataracts? It’s cataract surgery, which requires removing the cataract and replacing it with an intraocular lens. The step-by-step procedure goes as follows:
  • A local anesthetic is applied on the eye (this numbs the area for surgery)
  • The cataract is softened and removed by using an ultrasound device
  • The cataract is replaced by an intraocular lens
Don’t let cataracts cloud your vision or judgment. Make the right decision by seeking professional care. If you live in the Chicago area or surrounding suburbs, feel free to schedule a consultation for cataract treatment at our office. Chicago residents can get their vision problem cleared up with the right eye care.
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